Window structure



Dec. 29, 1936. c. PETTIT WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 9, 1931 3Sheets-Sheet 2 k rillll'lll/ INVENTOR CLPeiZzt BY A i z Dec. 29, 1936.

C. L. PETTIT WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR CLPeZiz'f AT OR. EY

Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 24 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to window constructions for tallbuildings and the objects of the invention are to provide a practicalconstruction by which the window structure may be more readilyharmonized with the architecture of the building; to facilitate thesetting up of the windows in the building structure; provide practicaland durable weather seals at all joints; to hold the window sash againstrattling and to keep the action of the window sash quiet and smooth andeasy to operate; to enable ready inspection and repair of the normallyconcealed sash connections and the like, and to provide a thoroughlydesirable construction, which for its advantages will be relativelyinexpensive and will be entirely practical commercially.

The foregoing objects are attained by the novel construction,combinations and relations of parts hereinafter disclosed and broadlyclaimed.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of the specificationillustrate certain practical embodiments of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the structure may be modified as regards the presentdisclosure without departure from the true spirit and broad scope of theinvention.

Fig. 1 is a face View or front elevation of the window structure asincorporated in the building structure; Fig. 2 is an enlarged brokensectional detail as on the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showingparticularly the weight box and the sash guide plate closing the openinner side of the box; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as on theplane of line 3--3 of Fig. 1 showing the joinder of two horizontallyrelated window units; Fig. 4 is a broken vertical sectional view as onthe plane of line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a broken vertical sectional view as on line 55 of Fig. i;

Fig. 6 is a broken detail illustrating the securing of one of thespandrel panels in the sill portion of one window frame;

Fig. 7 is a broken vertical sectional View as on substantially the planeof line 'l'l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional detail as on the plane of line 88 ofFig. 1 illustrating the construction of the spandrel panel;

Fig. 9 is a broken part sectional View of a frame construction for glasspanel spandrels;

Fig. 10 is a broken sectional detail illustrating another method ofsecuring the spandrels in the hollow sills.

Fig. 1 illustrates an assembly of four window units connectedhorizontally and vertically to form a continuous vertical panel effectin the building wall 20. This continuous panel effect may be extendedany number of floors to meet the architectural requirements of thebuilding and if desired, the panel effect may be widened to include morethan two window units horizontally. Each of the window units consists ofa frame made up of a head 2! and sill 22 connected by weight boxes 23.

The weight boxes as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3 are of hollowthree sided construction secured at top and bottom to the head and sillrespectively and arranged with their open sides faced inwardly of theframe and terminating in inwardly directed flanges 24. These hollowshells may be made of relatively light sheet metal reinforced byintermediate partitions 25 dividing the boxes into front and rearcompartments for the sash weights 26.

The open inner sides of the weight boxes are closed by the sectionalsash guide plates 27 having outstanding, inturned flanges 28, 29, alongthe front and rear edges and an intermediate T-section parting rail 30,defining guides for the upper and lower sash 3|, 32, respectively.

The guide plates are sealed to the weight boxes plates and clamp barsand by passing through openings 36 in the weight box flanges 24definitely locate these parts on the weight boxes.

The guide plates are made up of vertically distinct sections separableon horizontal lines 31,

Figs. 4 and 5, which sections can be independently removed upon takingout the screws 35, to give access to interior portions or parts insidethe weight boxes. As shown particularly in Fig. 5, the reinforcing,leading or clamp bars 34 cover the joints between adjoining sections ofthe guide plates and the angle pieces 38, 39, close the joints betweenthe guide plates and the head and sill of the frame. Thus, the structureis tight and weather-proof and at the same time any sections of theguide plates can be readily removed and be as easily replaced.

The upper sections of the guide plates are shown as carrying brackets 40for thepulleys 4|, over which the window weight straps 52 are run so.

that the removal of the upper guide plate sections enables the takingout of these pulleys for inspection or repair. The pulley brackets areindicated as detachably secured on the back of the guide plate sectionsby screws 43, with the straps,

. to keep this weathering tight. At rails of the sash, similarweathering may be protapes or chains passing through slots 44 in theguide plates and down and up around pins 45 secured across the flangesof the sash (Fig. 2) and caught beneath the screws' lfi set in the headsof the sash. On loosening these screws which are easily accessible inthe top of the sash, the tapes may be removed or secured in otheradjusted relations, to take up for stretch, or the like.

To prevent the weights from being noisy in the boxes, they may beequipped with bumpers 41' in the form of bands of rubberor othercushioning material seated in grooves 48a surrounding the weights asillustrated in Fig. 5.

To keep the sash quiet, bumpers of rubber or other suitable material maybe provided in the upper corners of the upper sash and in the lowercorners of the lower sash as indicated at 48, 49, V

Fig. 5 and-bumpers or cushions 50, 5| Fig. 4 in the lower end of theupper sash guide and in the upper end of the lower sash guide to bestruck by these sash whenthey are thrown fully open.

, The pulleys are mounted in centered relation over the sash 31 and 32,and this fact, with the provision of adjustable sliding spring shoes 52,secured near the top and bottom in thevertical channels of the sash andsliding in the grooves of the sash guides, together with the specialspring weathering strips 53, Fig. 2 held in the pockets behind theinturned flanges 28 and 29 of the sash guide plates and engaging theedges of the sash, insure smooth and quiet operation of the sash.

These weathering strips are shown in Fig. 2 as three sided sheet metalstrips 53 seated in the rectangular pockets behind the angular flanges28, 29, and having bowed spring edge portions bearing against the faceof the guide plate and outwardly flared springWings or flanges 55bearing against the edges of the sash. This same type of weathering iscarried out at the parting rail in a double form of weatheringstriptlficaught be-' neath the T rail and having the outwardly flaring springwing portions 5'! engaging edges of the sash opposite those engaged bythe spring flanges 55. This construction yieldingly centers the sash inthe guides and keeps them weather-tight. along the vertical edges. Inthe channels across the top of the upper sash frame, between bumpers 48and across the bottom of the lowersash frame between the lower cornerbumpers -49, U-shaped weather strips 58 are seated having introverted orreversely bent edges 55, Fig. 4, forming'springs 1e meeting vided asillustrated in Fig. 4, where the U-shaped strip 58 is shown seated in agroove provided by an outstanding angle piece 68, secured on topof thelower sash frame and adapted to cooperate with an inwardlyextendingpiece El secured to I the bottom of the upper sash frame.

At the ends, themeeting rails of the sash may be centered and sealed bythe wedge blocks 62 secured on the face of the parting rails in positionto be engagedby reversely faced wedges 63 the lower sash to close up anygaps at this point.

While each window unit is complete and may be used singly as such, theunits'ar'e particularly well adapted for being combined in continuouspanels after the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

In eflecting this result, the horizontally aligned of an upper windowframe.

window frames are combined as shown in Fig. 3 by connecting the weightboxes of horizontally adjoining frames in edge-to-edge relation, as bymeans of cover plates 64, 65, fastened in the inset portions 66, 61, atthe inside and outside portions of the boxes as by means of screws 68concealed in the weight boxes. These inside fastening inside the weightboxes when the sash guide plates are removed. If desired, the frames maybe secured inhorizontally engaged relation by other means and the insetor shouldered portions 66 and/or 61, be left uncovered to form portionsof the architectural details. The covered or bonded condition isillustrated in Fig. l and this view, with Figs. 4 and 7 shows how thevertical spaces between windows of adjoining floors may be covered byornamental or other spandrels 69 between vertically aligned windowframes and by intermediate spandrels 10 in linewith the cover plates 65.7

As shown particularly in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, the spandrels 69 may besecured and supported by having their lower edges hooked in engagementover the upstanding flanges H on the head of a lower window frame andtheir upper edges caught behind the dependent flange or lip 12 on thesill In the views referred to, the hooked engagement at'the bottom isprovided by a hook, lug or lugs 13, secured on the back of thespandrelto engage over the upstanding, flange H on the head of a windowframe and the upper edge of the spandrel is locked in'po'sition back ofthe'lip of the sill by a wedge or wedges l4, dropped down through an?screws 68, it will be noted, are readily accessible weight box, Figs. 2and 6, the wedge being indicated in the latter view as shouldered at 16,so that it can be forcedover into interlocked en gagement beneath thesill and held thus by small wedges l1 dropped into position attheopposite side of the shouldered wedge. In placing the spandrels, aswith locating the other parts, suitable calking may be employed asindicated at 18 ing structure.

To prevent the weight of the spandrels from crushing down the hollowheads of the window frames, filler pieces 19 may be inserted in thehollows of these heads as shown in Fig. 4 to transmit the weight of thespandrels 69,10, to

r The intermediate spandrels 10 are indicatedin Fig. 7 as held inposition by the intermediate cover plates 65, the latter having portions80 overlappingthe edges of the intermediatespandrels.

Fig. 8 illustrates how'the spandrels may be bonded to the wall surfacesat the outside edges by suitable calking 18 and this view also shows howthe spandrels may be made up as channeled frames 8| having the spandrelpanels 69, set in the grooves of the same. This construction may bemodified as in Fig. 9, which illustrates a corner'of the spandrel framewithin the top bar outer channel of the side bar of. the frame, where"it is removably held by screw 85. Such aspandrel frame is well adaptedfor holding a panel 86 of glass, bright metal, vitreous material, or thelike.

Instead of only the hooks at the bottom, the

spandrels may have hooks at the top as illustrated in Fig. 10, wherehook lugs 81 are shown provided at the forward upper edge of thespandrel engaged over the inwardly hooked lower edges 88 of the lip ofthe sill, eliminating the need for the wedges 14.

As shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 10, an angle piece 89 may be weldedor otherwise secured on the underface of the sill back from the lip 12of the sill in position to fit the wall in back of the spandrels. Thisangle thus positions the sills of those frames which carry thespandrels, and as particularly shown in Fig. 4, form abutments for thespandrel holding wedges 14, the same being substantially in line withthe wedge openings 15 in the top of the sill.

The spring weather strips 58, Fig. 4, in the channels in the top of theupper sash and in the bottom of the lower sash, when not compressedproject slightly beyond the edges of the sash substantially flush withthe bumpers in the corners of the sash, so as to make effective sealingengagement with the head and sill portions of the frame.

The pulleys are mounted on the back of the upper sections of the sashguide plates to carry the sash chains or straps up through the slots inthe guide plate in exactly centered relation to the sash, so the naturaltendency of the sash is to run true. But, in addition, the springweather strips in the pockets of the sash guide plates engage oppositefaces of the sash to prevent rattle and the adjustable spring slidingshoes near the upper and lower corners of the sash guide and hold thesash against edgewise movement. The guide plates are completely sealedto the weight boxes, but may be easily taken off and replaced insections without injury to such sealing. The cover plates betweenadjacent window frames are attached by screws disposed inside the weightboxes and hence are entirely concealed in the finished structure. Thespandrels are secured at top and bottom, either by hooks at top andbottom or by hooks at the bottom or wedges at the top, back of the lipof the sill and the weight of these spandrels is transferred to thevertical members of the frames, which are well capable of sustainingsuch weight.

What is claimed is:

1. A window structure, comprising window frames constructed as separateunits, means for connecting the same together in horizontal relation andspandrels connecting vertically spaced window frames in verticallycontinuous panels of windows.

2. A window structure, comprising window frames constructed as separateunits, means for connecting the same together in horizontal relation,spandrels connecting vertically spaced window frames in verticallycontinuous panels of windows, said spandrels comprising main spandrelsconnecting the heads and sills of vertically spaced window frames andintermediate spandrels between the main spandrels and disposed in linewith the spaces between horizontally adjoining window frames.

3. A window structure, comprising window frames constructed as separateunits, means for connecting the same together in horizontal relation,spandrels connecting vertically spaced window frames in verticallycontinuous panels of windows, said spandrels comprising main spandrelsconnecting the heads and sills of vertically spaced window frames,intermediate spandrels between the main spandrels and disposed in linewith the spaces between horizontally "adjoining window frames and coverplates joining the horizontally adjoining window frames in verticalalignment with said intermediate spandrels.

4. A window frame comprising a head, a sill and hollow weight boxesconnecting said head and sill and open to the interior of the frame,removable sash guide plates closing the open inner sides of the boxesand means for detachably securing said sash guide plates in position,said sash guide plates consisting of vertically separable sections whichcan be removed independently of each other.

5. A window structure comprising a frame made up of head and sill,connected by a hollow weight box open to the interior of the frame and.

a sectional sash guide plate covering the open side of the box andremovable in sections to expose different portions in the length of theweight box.

6. A window frame having a hollow weight box open to the interior of theframe and having opposed flanges at said open side of the same, aremovable sash guide plate overstanding said flanges, means fordetachably securing said sash guide plate in position, including barsengaged behind said fianges and fastenings extending between the bar andplate through the flanges, said sash guide plate consisting ofvertically separable sections disposed with their adjoining ends bridgedby the bar aforesaid.

'7. A window frame provided with sash guides, upper and lower sashesoperating in said guides, weathering in the guides for said sashes,bumpers in the upper corners of the upper sash and in the lower cornersof the lower sash and bumpers for the upper sash in the lower ends ofthe upper sash guides and for the lower sash in the upper ends of theupper sash guides.

8. A window frame having weight boxes open to the inside of the frame,sash guide plates covering the open inner sides of the weight boxes andhaving removable upper sections and sash weight pulleys supported on thebacks of said removable guide sections and removable with said sections.

9. A Window frame, sash operating in said" to project slightly beyondthe upper and lower.

edges of the sash.

10. In combination, window frames having hollow weight boxes open at theinside of the frames, plates for securing the weight boxes of adjoiningwindow frames together, fastenings for said plates accessible inside theweight boxes through the open sides of said weight boxes and sash guideplates closing said open sides of the weight boxes and removable toprovide access to the interiorly located fastenings for the securingplates.

11. In combination, a window frame having a sill portion and weight box,said sill portion having an opening through the same within the weightbox, a spandrel engaged in the sill portion and holding means for thespandrel entered through said opening within the weight box.

12. In combination, a window frame having a sill portion and weight box,said sill portion having an opening through the same within the weightbox, a spandrel engaged in the sill portion, holding means for thespandrel entered through said opening within the weight box and alocking device for said holding means.

13. A window structure comprising window frames constructed as separateunits and arranged horizontally in rows and with horizontal rows.superposed in vertical alignment, cover plates connecting'thehorizontally related window frames in said horizontal rows and spandrelsconnecting"verticallyrelatedrows of the window frames in verticallyextending panels of windows.

14. In a window construction, a frameformed V :of 'extruded=metal andincluding side jambs, a

weight-hung sash slidable in said frame, a cutout portion forming anopening in said jambs for permitting access to the sash weights, and astrip adapted to cover each jamb and opening, said strips being formedwith guide means adapted to interengage with said sash" whereby topermit sliding movement of the sash;

15 In a window construction, a frame formed of extruded metal andincludingside jambs, a weight-hung sash slidable in said frame, a cut-.out portion forming an opening in said jambs .for permitting access tothe sashweights, and astrip adapted to cover each jamb and opening,said. strips being formed with ribs adapted to seat in the sides of thesash and form a guide means therefor to permit sliding movement of 16 Inawindow frame construction, slidable :sashes in said frame, a partingstop mounted on 7 said frame'intermediate said sashes, and interengagingmeans on one of said sashes and on said parting stop for providing. aweather-tight se'alwhen said sash is in closed position.

17.."In a window frame construction, a slidable sash in said frame, aparting stop mounted on said frame, and inter-engaging flanges on saidsash and parting 'stop for providing a weathertight seal.

18. In a window construction, a frame therefor, stiles provided in thesides of and forming .a part of the permanent frame construction, sasheshaving theirside rails provided with spaced ribs slidable in saidstiles, said stiles being provided with inwardly extending projectionsadapted to seat against the sides of said ribs to form a a line contacttherewith whereby to provide a weather-tight seal therebetween.

' 19. In a window construction, a frame therefor, pairs of spaced stilesin said frame, each stile being provided with achannel, sashes provided'with spaced ribs slidable insaid channels, said channels having inwardlyprojecting resilient flanges adapted to form a line contact withsaid'ribs and provide a; weather tight seal therewith. V

i 20. Ina window. construction, a frame there; for, sashes slidable insaid frame and provided with rails having spaced ribs, stiles in saidframe and provided with spaced channels adapted to receive said ribs,said channels being formed with inwardly extending flanges adapted toform a line contact with said ribs and provide a weather-' tight sealtherewith.

21; In a'window construction, a frame therefor, individual stile memberseach formed with a longitudinal channel and a laterally extendingportiomremovable means seating on said extending portions for detachablyretaining said members in position, sashes having spaced ribs slidablein said; channels, and inwardly extending flanges on said members andadapted to-form a line contact with said ribs whereby toprovide a'weather-tight seal therewith.

22. In a window construction, a frame therefor, sashes slidable in saidframe and provided" with rails having spaced ribs; and individual,resilient stile members in said frame, each adapted to receive one ofsaid ribs and form a weathertight seal therewith, and each of said stilemembers being individually removable whereby they may be readilyassembled or replaced.

23. In a window construction, a frame therefor, pairs of spacedstiles insaid frame, each stile being provided with a channel, sasheshavingspaced ribs and slidable in. said channels, said stiles being providedwith inwardly projecting resilient flanges adapted to contact saidribsflanges adapted to engage the sides of said ribs and form a linecontact therewith, said flanges and projections being resilient wherebyto receive and engage said sides and form a'weather-tight seal therewitheven thickness.

CHARLES L. PETTIT.

though said sides vary in

